By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News Liberia
Liberia, through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lewis G. Brown II, has issued a strong warning to the international community over the deepening crisis in Africa’s Great Lakes region, urging urgent and coordinated action to prevent further deterioration. Ambassador Brown delivered the message at the 10136th meeting of the United Nations Security Council on April 15, 2026, speaking on behalf of the A3 bloc.
Representing the A3, comprising Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, Brown emphasized that instability in the Great Lakes region continues to threaten broader peace across the continent. “There can be no peace in Africa while the Great Lakes region remains unstable,” he declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation before the Council.
The Liberian envoy acknowledged ongoing African-led mediation efforts, commending leaders such as João Lourenço, Faure Gnassingbé, and Yoweri Museveni for their roles in advancing dialogue. However, he cautioned that such initiatives risk failure without unified international backing and consistent follow-through.
Highlighting the limitations of diplomacy without implementation, Brown delivered one of the most striking lines of his address: “Agreements, without credible and collective commitment to implementation, do not build trust. Nor do they stop a single bullet.” The statement reflects growing concern that peace agreements alone are insufficient to halt violence on the ground.
To bridge the gap between commitments and action, the A3 proposed a unified, results-driven implementation framework anchored in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework. Brown stressed that this mechanism must include measurable timelines, impartial verification, enforcement measures, and stronger coordination among mediation tracks.
Turning to security developments, Brown warned that the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is deteriorating at an alarming rate. “The security situation is deteriorating, not incrementally, but dangerously,” he said, calling for an immediate end to hostilities in line with existing UN resolutions and regional agreements.
He also condemned the continued expansion of armed groups and the use of heavy weapons and drones in civilian areas, describing these actions as clear violations of international humanitarian law. “International humanitarian law is not optional. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is non negotiable,” Brown asserted firmly.
On the humanitarian front, Brown painted a dire picture, noting that more than six million people have been displaced across the region. He stressed that the crisis persists not due to a lack of solutions, but because of inadequate funding and limited access to affected populations.
“Humanitarian response cannot rely on sympathy alone. It requires predictable financing, unconditional access, and fair burden sharing,” he told the Council, calling for increased international support to address the worsening humanitarian conditions.
Brown further urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to strengthen collaboration with countries in the region to manage refugee flows and facilitate safe, voluntary, and dignified returns when conditions allow.
Addressing the root causes of the conflict, the Liberian diplomat pointed to the illicit exploitation of natural resources as a key driver of instability. He called for stronger global action to disrupt the economic networks fueling violence, including mechanisms to improve transparency and traceability in the extractive sector.
In closing, Ambassador Brown reaffirmed the A3’s commitment to African-led solutions while urging the international community to match words with action. “The people of the Great Lakes do not need more agreements. They need proof that agreements matter,” he concluded, warning that failure to act decisively risks prolonging instability and missing yet another opportunity for lasting peace.
